The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a Washington-based park advocacy group, placed Valley Forge on its fourth annual list of "America's 10 Most Endangered National Parks." The NPCA listed developer Toll Brothers Inc.'s plan to build 62 houses on approximately 80 acres of privately owned land in the northern corner of the park as one of the greatest threats to Valley Forge. The National Park Service (NPS) recently entered into negotiations with Toll Brothers to purchase the land, and while no agreement has been met, the two sides are working together, according to the Valley Forge Park Deputy Superintendent Robert Krumenaker.
 

"I think we'll actually be able to acquire the land. There's good faith on both sides," he said. "An appraisal has been ordered."
 

The NPS dedicated $2 million in its 2003 budget to acquire the land. U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel III (D/Pa.-13) fought for the money, and while he admitted it probably will not be enough, praised the allocation as a "wonderful commitment by the Bush administration." Krumenaker said the fate of the land lies in the NPS's ability to meet the difference between the $2 million and the ultimate appraisal of the park, and also Toll Brothers' willingness to accept the appraisal. Toll Brothers issued no comment on the negotiations, but Hoeffel also said both sides were "acting in good faith."
 

Krumenaker said the dubious distinction of landing on the NPCA's list could be a blessing for the park. In addition to the threat of encroaching development, a recent documentary on the History Channel shed light on problems in the park that developed from lack of funding.
 

"If everything was fine, we wouldn't be on this list. It's a double-edged sword. It lets the community know we are in dire straits," he said. "But all of the threats they (NPCA) talked about, they'll still be there tomorrow."
 

"Most people really care about this place, but they don't know how they can help. The publicity helps."
 

In addition to the proposed houses, other threats to Valley Forge the NPCA listed were a lack of staff to properly repair and maintain the 196 historical structures in Valley Forge, a proposal for a veterans' cemetery on park property, traffic within the park, storm-water runoff creating erosion, and the aesthetic damage of the proposed Schuylkill Valley MetroRail.
 

Hoeffel has been an active supporter of two of those threats, the MetroRail and the veterans' cemetery. Still, he supports NPCA's decision.
 

"I think it will help the effort to purchase that piece of land," Hoeffel said.
 

Hoeffel introduced legislation last year to use park land for a veterans' cemetery, a move that has drawn the criticism of park officials, but the praise of local veterans.
 

Hoeffel and other local politicians have also advocated the creation of MetroRail, a 62-mile light rail line connecting Reading and Philadelphia. The line would run through Valley Forge, and while the NPCA praised efforts to "analyze effective solutions to relieve traffic impacts on the park," they are still concerned with protecting the "historic landscape" of Valley Forge.
 

"If George Washington were alive today, he'd stop at nothing to ensure that the needs of Valley Forge were met," stated NPCA Senior Vice President Ronald J. Tipton. "Valley Forge represents the perseverance of the American spirit. If we allow unwise development and funding shortfalls to degrade Valley Forge, we dishonor the foundation of America's freedom. This should be one of America's best national parks, not a park under siege."
 

The other parks on the endangered list are Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming), Mojave National Preserve (California), South Florida's Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, Federal Hall National Memorial (New York), Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina), Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (Alaska), Glacier National Park (Montana), Ocmulgee National Monument (Georgia), and Big Bend National Park (Texas).
 

Along with inadequate funding for all parks, the NPCA listed air pollution as a major threat to parks. NPCA President Thomas Kiernan pointed specifically to the Bush Administration's intention to weaken the Clean Air Act's New Source Review program, designed to reduce emissions in aging power plants, "without providing a strong enough alternative." Kiernan credited the administration, however, for addressing resource problems in parks like Big Cypress National Preserve.
 

"America has the ability to keep our nations' parks from serious danger," Kiernan stated. "But we also must have the will. The White House and Congress must choose to value America's treasures over the interests of industry lobbyists if we are to preserve these world-renowned national parks and move more of them off this endangered list."
 

Tony Roberts can be reached at troberts@phoenixvillenews.com.